Vuylsteke House
Born in Rotterdam, Holland, Adrianus Jacobus Maria Vuylsteke (1873-1912) immigrated to the U. S. in 1893. In 1894-96 he moved to Texas and helped plat the town of Port Arthur. Following his marriage to Nettie Minerva White in 1898, they settled in Port Arthur.
Vuylsteke was an agent for various shipping lines and assistant secretary of the American Land and Oil Company. In 1903 he was appointed Dutch Vice-Consul in Port Arthur, and Dutch Consul in 1906, both by royal decree of the Netherlands.
Built for the Vuylsteke family in 1905, this house was constructed by J. E. Alexander in about 75 days. Reflecting the Dutch heritage of its original owner, the colonial revival style house features a full width balustraded porch with classical columns, a pedimented entry bay, centered dormers, and pilasters that articulate the corners of the building.
The Vuylstekes sold the house in 1908 to John W. Tryon, mayor of Port Arthur from 1917 to 1921. Subsequent owners Howard and Olive Fuss moved the home in 1939 to this location. Later remodeled into apartments, it gradually deteriorated and was vacant. The home was purchased by the Port Arthur College Foundation in 1980 and restored by 1986.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1996
Erected 1996 by Texas Historical Commission
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 29° 52.896′ N, 93° 55.455′ W. Marker is in Port Arthur, Texas, in Jefferson County. It is on Lakeshore Drive south of Lake Charles Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1831 Lakeshore Drive, Port Arthur TX 77640, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Texas’ Golden Triangle. It is also in the American South, on the Gulf Coast, and in the Piney Woods. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Federated Women's Clubs Of Port Arthur (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Clubhouse of the Federated Womens Clubs of Port Arthur (about 500 feet away); Ellwood - Craig House (about 700 feet away); Pompeiian Villa (about 700 feet away); Port Arthur College Radio Tower (approx. 0.2 miles away); John Warne Gates (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ruby Ruth Fuller Building (approx. Ό mile away); Gates Memorial Library (approx. Ό mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Arthur.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 29, 2020, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 609 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 29, 2020, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.
